I'M A MESS

Chapter Seventeen

Aaron's POV

Over the course of a few hours, Isaac and I were able to roam around the city streets. A busy atmosphere lingered around the city as day turned to dusk. At this time of the day, most people are already in a rush to get home. Others, taking their time to mingle amongst the people they've been with for the day. I, for one, worried about the crowd. 

People walked along and against  where we treaded, and there was no knowing how things will turn out. Earlier, Isaac let go of my hand as he dashed right to a food stall. "You two look good together!", or so the seller said. I can't even fathom if it was for the sake of his sale or if it was real. But nevertheless, I thank that person for making Isaac blush at the thought.

The crowd started to grow in number and one of them bumped into me as I made my way along the street. Looking at Isaac getting carried away by the crowd bit by bit, I decided there was no other choice left but to keep him close. Grabbing his wrist and pulling him to me, I told him to stay close.

I held his hand and felt a bit surprised at the fact that Isaac, himself, interweaved his fingers with mine. I grinned at myself and looked ahead on the street in the desperation to hide the ridiculously happy look on my face. All of a sudden, my phone rang and we stopped on our tracks. I took my phone from my pocket and answered, "Mom?"

"Everyone's here except the two of you. We're planning to visit your school so you best get here immediately", my mom said over the line.

"Alright, we're heading there. Where are you anyway?"

"We're at a boutique named 'Inflorescence'. Do you know where that is?"

"Ah, yes. We'll be heading there immediately. See you there", I dropped the call.

***

"What took you so long?", Xander raised an eyebrow and I simply rolled my eyes at him as response. Mother approached me and gave me a worried look, "Did you get into any trouble?"

"Well, we did come across a paparazzi, but it's been dealt with", I gave her a comforting look. "No need to worry. Anyway, I see you wish to see my school". I looked at my watch and said, "I don't know if it's still open now, but we can try. I have my ID code in my phone, so I think the guards might let us pass".

"Okay!", Mother raised a hand. "Let's go!"

***

Upon our arrival at the school gates, the guards halted us and said that they are not allowing any more entry in the academy for it was way past curfew. I showed him my ID but we had no luck. So we had dinner in a nearby restaurant instead. After a hearty dinner, we rode the same vehicle on the way home while Mother kept on talking about tomorrow.

"It's too bad tomorrow's the last day. How I wish I could stay..", Mother longingly thought.

"We can always visit whenever we want and can, dear", Father comforted her with a wrap on the shoulders.

"Of course", Mother nodded and turned to us. "Anyways, tomorrow, we'll be hiking in the mountains. Aaron, I want you to bring with you your camera and take lots of photos as we hike. Have the photos printed when we get back home and give us copies, alright?"

"I will", I lazily groaned as I rested my head against the window directly to my left. We fell silent and asleep, except for me. The ride back home took too long as we followed an endless parade of vehicles and halted at traffic lights, but it wasn't so bad to wait until we reach home. I fancied on the sight of the city night lights while the car drove along the road, passing people and establishments and taking stops and turns. The moon shone and the stars glimmered as the night sky loomed over a bright city. I looked to my right and noticed Isaac rocking his head back and forth in a rather tired manner.

As his face was unveiled from the blonde locks of the wig, I realized he already had shut his eyes and fallen asleep. I moved towards him and as the car took a sharp turn to the left, I ended up cornering Isaac to one corner of the car in a careful manner so as to not wake him up.

"Is everything alright, sir?", the driver's voice echoed until the back where Isaac and I were seated.

"Yes", I replied. I sat back down comfortably beside Isaac and leaned his head on my shoulder. Knowing he's sound asleep, I rested my head on his and thought. 'Everything won't be the same when all this pretend..', my heart ached at the word, 'will be over'. At least while he's still here, I wish to know every inch of him as much as I want to know what every face he makes and every word he speaks truly means. I wanted to know him more than anything, and never have I felt so eager to know a person's very being aside from my own.

Gently tracing Isaac's cheeks with my fingers, he moved in the slightest motion and found himself at ease in the comfort of my shoulder.

***

Walking through halls and climbing staircases, I carried a sleeping Isaac in my arms. With the assistance of a maid, the door to his room was opened and I gently placed him down on the sheets. His chest heaved up and down at his every breath and his body stilled in his slumber. I took off his shoes and placed them at the foot of his bed.

Standing beside where he lies, I lifted his blanket and covered him with it to shelter him from the coldness of the room. I felt slightly tired and thought maybe I could at least spend one night watching Isaac sleep soundly. I walked to the other side of the bed and sat on its edge. I took off my shoes and lifted my bare feet on the bed. I snuggled underneath the comfort of the same blanket embracing Isaac. Lying down sideways, I leaned my head on one bent arm as I fancied on the sight of a sleeping Isaac.

"I wonder what you're dreaming of right now", I said in a soft voice as I gently brushed off the blonde locks of hair away, exposing his tranquil sleeping face. Knowing full well his consciousness is lying beneath those shut eyelids, I held no hesitation to put how I feel into words. If I had anything to say, I might as well say it now. "You're such an honest, straightforward and strong-willed yet stubborn guy. You even dared to challenge me head-on, and I wasn't disappointed. You've been keeping me interested all this time", I chuckled at the rush of the memories we've shared.

As my chuckle faded into a sigh, I finally said,  "But what if, in the middle of it all..", I grinned to myself at the ridiculousness of my current standing, "I happened to accidentally fall in love with you?". I brushed the hair veiling his forehead and leaned it to give it a gentle peck before I surrendered to exhaustion and to the comfort of the bed and a thought, "At least my words will become whispers in your dream".

**

AN: 

We The Kings' 'Say It Now' is such an awesome song. Just sayin'. \m/